Weekly Meetings Don't Necessarily Improve Office Productivity

Employees could be given a break from reoccurring office meetings. When it comes to weekly gatherings, 45 percent of executives say their employees would maintain better productivity if these meetings were eliminated, according to a survey by OfficeTeam, a staffing service that questioned 150 executives.

Forty-six percent of managers say there wouldn't be a change in workers if meetings occurred less often. If weekly gatherings stopped at the office, only 7 percent of managers expect a reduction in employee efficiency.

"Businesses are operating with lean teams, which implies more people are stretched for time," says Robert Hosking, executive director. "Sometimes meetings outlive their original purpose, so professionals should carefully consider whether one is warranted or if there's a more efficient way to share the information."

When asked what percentage of meetings seemed pointless, the average response from managers was 28 percent.

"The adage, 'Be brief, be brilliant, be gone,' rings particularly true in the workplace right now. Meeting organizers and participants both play a role in keeping these gatherings in check," adds Hosking.

OfficeTeam provides tips that can help you determine if your office gatherings are wasting time:

-- Features a long agenda. Try planning smaller, more focused meetings, rather than one long and unorganized gathering.

-- Goes for than an hour long. Most employees won't be able to focus for over an hour. Keep meetings under 60 minutes if possible. Provide snacks or interactive parts to maintain attention.

-- Has an endless attendee list. Make sure all participants are needed in the meeting. Don't invite everyone just as a sign of courtesy.

-- Includes an in-depth PowerPoint presentation. Share the visuals and information before the meeting. Use the group time to answer questions, hear suggestions or provide the most important details.

-- Becomes a routine for workers. Just because it happens every week doesn't mean the gathering is essential for the business.

For more information, visit www.officeteam.com.

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